Europol-backed raids dismantle migrant smuggling, drug trafficking and money laundering networks across Europe

Story Timeline
7 days · 2 summary articles
Europol-backed raids dismantle migrant smuggling, drug trafficking and money laundering networks across Europe
Global police dismantle drug trafficking and money laundering networks across Europe and South America
Continuation
Europol-backed operations this week dismantled cross-border criminal networks involved in migrant smuggling, drug trafficking, and money laundering across Europe.
A coordinated action on Sept. 22, 2026, targeting a migrant smuggling ring led to six arrests in Austria, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, along with 10 house searches and seizures of ID documents, electronic devices, and cash . The network, which also engaged in document fraud and money laundering, was investigated with support from Europol and authorities in 17 countries.
In a separate but related operation, Spanish National Police, with Europol’s assistance, arrested 21 suspects on July 22, 2026, for drug trafficking and money laundering, including some of the world’s largest underground bankers . Spanish authorities issued 19 international arrest warrants in connection with the case.
Additionally, Europol supported Italian and Brazilian law enforcement in dismantling a cocaine trafficking and money laundering network linked to the Ndrangheta, resulting in seven arrests in Brazil as part of Operation EREDITÀ . The operation builds on prior investigations, including Operations SAMBA and MAFIUSI, which previously led to 28 arrests across both countries.
Follow us for live European news
- 1
- 1
- 1
3 further sources not geolocated

